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Testing secured for Fylde care home

Fylde MP Mark Menzies has secured Government help for a care home which has lost half of its residents to coronavirus.

Mr Menzies asked Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock to intervene after the home raised concerns it could not secure testing for residents living in the home.

During the Parliamentary session, Mr Menzies said: “In April, 16 residents of a care home in Fylde died. They represent about half of those in the home.

“Six of the remaining residents are displaying symptoms, but they are being told that they will have to wait until mid-June for further tests, following errors made by Randox a few weeks ago. Can the Secretary of State please investigate and work with me to resolve this important issue?”

Mr Menzies also wrote to Mr Hancock with full details of the case.

Mr Hancock replied: “Yes, of course I can. I will take that up immediately and we will try to get a resolution. Thankfully, we have the testing capacity to be able to resolve such problems.”

Mr Menzies also asked the Lancashire Resilience Forum to look into the case to ensure the residents are tested as soon as possible.

The Government has now confirmed the home will receive the tests on Thursday.

Mr Menzies said: “This situation is utterly tragic for the residents, their families and for those who have cared for them for years and my heart goes out to them all. This virus is incredibly contagious and residents and staff in care homes are among the most vulnerable. Staff are performing wonders in the most difficult of circumstances.

“We must now do everything we can to help the home ensure other residents, and its staff, are continually tested so that shielding measures can be put in place whenever they are needed.”